Boater rescued after canoe flips

Reily Twp. man clung to craft after it overturned along river, but ultimately had to let it go to save his life.

Greg Dean, of Reiley Twp. is helped to safety by Deputy Mike Farthing of the Butler County Marine Rescue after Dean's canoe tipped over, throwing him into Fourmile Creek.

Photo by Greg Lynch Greg Dean, of Reiley Twp. is helped to safety by Deputy Mike Farthing of the Butler County Marine Rescue after Dean's canoe tipped over, throwing him into Fourmile Creek.

Local youth serving as mayor of Cincinnati
7:23 p.m.
Hamilton a city in lights
11/21/09
City gets $2M grant for green energy project
11/21/09
High school delivers the goods: 4,207 cans
11/21/09
Cutting-edge command center now a dream, but EMA director will keep pushing for it
11/21/09
> More headlines

By Nick Daggy and Richard Wilson
Staff Writers Updated 7:36 AM Friday, May 15, 2009

SEVEN MILE — A Reily Twp. man has new respect for the Great Miami River after his canoe capsized in high, turgid waters.

Greg Dean said he decided to take the canoe out on the river on his day off Thursday, May 14. He ran into trouble, he said, after he realized the water level was higher than he anticipated.

Dean said he lost control of the canoe and it flipped. He hung onto the side of the capsized canoe and drifted with the river’s current for about a quarter mile.

A passerby eventually saw Dean clinging to the canoe in the area of Seven Mile Creek and West Elkton Road and called 911.

Several emergency crews responded to the call at around 5:20 p.m. About 20 minutes later, the canoe was spotted near railroad tracks near U.S. 127, but there was no sign of Dean.

Dean said he started getting cold and had to let go.

He wasn’t worried about losing his $300 canoe at that point, he said.

“The main thing is I got my life back,” he said. “I’m glad I didn’t take my dog with me today.”

Mike Farthing, of the Butler County Sheriff’s Office Marine Patrol unit, heard the call for help on his radio and responded from his home nearby.

Farthing found Dean standing on a sandbar in Four Mile Creek and Seven Mile.

Farthing said he put a life vest on Dean and waited for assistance.

The Butler County Sheriff’s Office and fire crews from New Miami and St. Clair Twp. responded.

A dispatcher said a dive team was called, and the sheriff’s office Air One helicopter had been prepared for deployment.

Share this article

ADD COMMENT

Comments feed

The actual incident happened on 7 Mile Creek and ended at the point just after 7 Mile and 4 Mile join. This then empties into the Great Miami at B St extention, Hamilton. Ive kayaked this section of the creek when it was more of a walk than a paddle. I would NEVER go alone when the water was up like it was. However, with a group and a little scouting, in higher water there are one or two good little play spots. Class II+ at the most. Strainers would be the problem in higher water.

Martin
10:48 PM, 5/24/2009

REPORT ABUSE

So where did this happen? I see at least three waterways mentioned. Great Miami, Four Mile and Seven Mile. Of the three, the Great Miami is probably the least dangerous since it's wide and reasonably free of tight turns and unavoidable strainers. I wouldn't recommend any of these, however, at these levels. If anyone wants to know what river levels are and whether or not conditions are safe, they can go to "AWA Riverselect".

Timothy Kling
7:15 AM, 5/16/2009

REPORT ABUSE

As the only livery operator on thiss ection of the Great Miami we have set a limit of 5500cfs to be out on the river. No one needs to be out the above this limit. Next time check the usgs gage in Hamilton before you leave your on your trip and ALWAYS! ALWAYS! ALWAYS! wear a life vest. If you're still not sure about river conditions call me, seriously. I will be more then happy to give you some trip advice. You were running the river when it was 4X a safe operating level.

Misty
9:48 PM, 5/15/2009

REPORT ABUSE

great job butler county sherriff's ,st clair twp firefighters ,another one saved. always use PPE {personal protective equiptment},even if you think your better than that ,just ask the ones who survived the river !!

tony
8:11 PM, 5/15/2009

REPORT ABUSE

I dont know why people think that they can brave the river, my guess is they never watch the news or read a paper, The river is dangerous w/ undercurrents and dropoffs. It never fails every year when it starts to get warm someone always thinks they can handle it and next thing ya know they end up another statistic found down river days later. BE SAFE NOT STUPID!! Have the sence to eqip. the right safety gear and it wouldnt hurt to wait for the water to be a bit warmer!! DUH

Becky
7:15 PM, 5/15/2009

REPORT ABUSE

There are 17 additional comments

SHOW ALL

We welcome your comments. Please remember this is a public forum and behave appropriately. Your comments must conform to our visitor's agreement.